Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air no longer compatible after latest iTunes update 12.7.4.76

I use a Zeppelin Air 30 pin model and had no problems with the previous iTunes versions, it was the Mac OS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 that killed AirPlay for me. Rolling back to two previous iTunes versions didn't help, so I figure the problem lies within the new 10.13.6 version that doesn't play with the latest (2015!) Zeppelin Air firmware 2.04.05 (9112).

Hi Valmont74, tried it this evening with no luck. I did 4 attempts following the steps indicated in your post. As soon as I click play on itune the system just go back to system output.

I tried as well with logic, same issue. The system recognise the zeppelin but is not able to hold it.

I received a response as well from B&W and you were right, B&W does not seem to be taking any responsibility as long as it works at least with the iOS devices.

We are aware that there is a bug in the latest version of iTunes that is directly affecting Zeppelin Air 30 pin model at present.

We have raised an incident and are in contact with Apple directly with regards to any potential resolutions they can offer. Until we have had confirmation from Apple that the issue has been resolved, although we know it may not be convenient, the only work around is to roll back to an earlier version of iTunes or if using a Mac set the Zeppelin Air as its default audio output.

The issue only seems to effect iTunes on Macs or PC's at present and iOS devices such as iPhones or iPads do seem to still recognise the speaker.

We will keep a record of your enquiry and will be in contact as soon as we have any further information regarding the issue.

I tried this workaround on my Macbook Pro and it worked for me. What doesn't work however are the multiple speakers in iTunes. I have several AirPlay compatible speakers in the house and from iTunes I used to be able to select the speakers I wanted to use, when making the Zeppelin Air the main speaker from the top bar, I cannot longer play from iTunes to several speakers. When trying to select more speakers in iTunes the sound to the Zeppelin Air stops and I get the error message that the speaker isn't compatible with iTunes.

I have told B&W about this and we will see if they reply.

The reply you got from B&W is somewhat confusing for me, it is not the iTunes version that is the problem. It's the High Sierra 10.13.6 that caused the problem (at least for me). Up until that update I could use iTunes and my speakers without problems. Also, rolling back to an earlier iTunes version doesn't help, I've tried doing so. That is why I think the culprit is the High Sierra 10.13.6.

What can one do, is Sonos the only other option if they won't fix this?

This was the same for me. Although this post is in the iTunes for Windows section, this happens for mac users as well. And on Mac OS High Sierra you can't roll back iTunes as it's a system file that cannot be deleted or overwritten, even from a Time Machine Backup

I have other Airplay speakers as well and they work flawlessly. I feel that for Mac users this is an issue with the latest iTunes update as I have been running High Sierra for some time now without issues and have only found this to be the case when iTunes was updated.

I also have the same issue. I did contact B&W and they gave me the same reply saying they are aware of it. They did say to roll back my itunes as a work around which i did try and do. However instead of the device is no longer compatible with itunes i got an error 20 code and cant connect to speaker. So basically my Zeppelin no longer works with any version of itunes. It does still work from my IOS devices. This is getting very annoying come on Apple sort it out!!!! I have a very expensive speaker which you have rendered useless.........

I agree that feedback should be given. It appears that last update has rendered impossible for any apple computer to connect to the zeppelin independently of the OS version. I'm still on Maverick and downgraded to itune11. same error is showing when trying to connect with "unknown error 20 "and The mac is still not connecting when trying to connect via the system preference either.

This raised questions on what levels of push they are introducing with each itunes updates that are not related to itunes but to the system in itself affecting the whole computer ecosystem.

I will definitely be careful from now on to update my apple devices.

The workaround given by Valmont74 works if you have only one device but once you have multiple devices it does not work anymore 😟

Thank you I have been searching the B&W site for this. I couldn't find my speaker icon in the top bar menu on the Mac so searched Speaker/Sound and then Output and all my various options were there. Blimey it now works! Marvellous. Thought I was going to have to chuck it out!!

With iTunes 12.8 and the new OS Mojave this workaround is not working anymore. Apple new OS and iTunes 12.8 comes with Airplay 2. Airplay 2 is incompatible with B&W Zeppelin Air. B&W is not paying to Apple the fee to use Airplay and will not release firmware updates anymore. The solution to this problem is to avoid installing iTunes 12.8 and not update to OS Mojave. Zeppelin Air are not wireless speaker anymore. Airplay 2 was designed to use only with the expensive Apple toys.

With iTunes 12.8 and the new OS Mojave this workaround is not working anymore. Apple new OS and iTunes 12.8 comes with Airplay 2. Airplay 2 is incompatible with B&W Zeppelin Air. B&W is not paying to Apple the fee to use Airplay and will not release firmware updates anymore. The solution to this problem is to avoid installing iTunes 12.8 and not update to OS Mojave. Zeppelin Air are not wireless speaker anymore. Airplay 2 was designed to use only with the expensive Apple toys.

mesuno wrote:

With iTunes 12.8 and the new OS Mojave this workaround is not working anymore. Apple new OS and iTunes 12.8 comes with Airplay 2. Airplay 2 is incompatible with B&W Zeppelin Air. B&W is not paying to Apple the fee to use Airplay and will not release firmware updates anymore. The solution to this problem is to avoid installing iTunes 12.8 and not update to OS Mojave. Zeppelin Air are not wireless speaker anymore. Airplay 2 was designed to use only with the expensive Apple toys.

That's really disappointing news, I wonder is the "AirPlay 1 killer" the OS Mojave or iTunes 12.8?

Can I use AirPlay to Zeppelin Air with iTunes 12.8 in a High Sierra OS?

I have given up on obtaining any kind of cooperation and/or resolution by either Apple or Bowers & Wilkens. Instead, I have finally found a work around using an application called TuneBlade. You can download it at tuneblade.com. There is a free version that has limitations and I would strongly recommend buying the full version for only $9.99. Well worth the cost and I can now stream to my Zeppelin Air via iTunes. Works flawlessly. P.S. This software is for Windows OS. I have Windows 10.

Works flawlessly. Thanks.

also £7.99 in uk or 8.99 in Euros.

The free version is the full programme but it only lets you stream for 10 minutes, so if your on the fence try the free version. its basically the price of an album.

Same - and I've just updated to Mojave with no fix. I've got 2 Zeppelins, one of which still works and one that doesn't. Luckily, I'm able to swap them over and connect the non-working one to my Apple TV and play via that. A bit of an expensive option if you don't already have one, but it does make it workable again in a multi-speaker setup.

I have two Airplay 1 speakers on my network and since updating itunes to 12.8.0.150, one of these speakers is ‘no longer compatible’ with iTunes. My iPhone, running 12.1 is still able to recognise and play through both speakers, individually, as they are not Airplay 2 compatible speakers. I was under the impression that iTunes would still be compatible with older Airplay 1 speakers, but it does not appear to be the case. I have an old iMac, which is not able to run any operating system after El Capitan.It’s obviously an iTues issue as it is happening on many different speakers brands.